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Nice Survivor: 1966 Chevrolet Bel Air

left-front

It’s another brown Chevy with too many doors, but this Bel Air listed on craigslist near Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a nice survivor at a reasonable price, $2,995. It’s not all as nice as what you see in this picture, but it’s pretty nice. This old Chevy is about as original and option free as they come, with a 6 cylinder and automatic transmission. It’s said to be rust free and have only 83,000 miles.

inside

That’s likely a seat cover on the front seat, but the interior is pretty nice. It looks like the automatic transmission and power steering were the only boxes checked on the options list.

engine

And there it is, as unimpressive as ever, a six cylinder of course. Things under the hood look original except for the air cleaner. The hoses look fresh and the battery looks new. The owner has done the mechanical chores necessary to make this a nice driver.

right-rear

This end doesn’t look so shiny. It has a bit of pin striping, but what’s the black around the back window and along the bottom about? Could it be hiding rust repairs? This looks like it might be a nice daily driver the way it is. For me, it would be just like the taxi I used to drive in El Paso, Texas. Just add yellow paint and a meter. This is a good candidate for a low rider or other mischief, of course, but perhaps someone will enjoy it in stock form..

Comments

  1. Avatar roselandpete

    I like the car but I have mixed feelings. In the CL ad, the trunk lid is shiny but not in the BF pic which is not even part of the CL pics.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Glen

    Yes, where did the bottom picture come from?

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    • Avatar David Frank Member

      It was in the ad originally. The seller changed pictures to a different angle and possibly wet to make it look better. Look at the picture of the right front fender. That’s probably closer to the actual condition of the paint.

      Like 0
  3. HoA Howard A Member

    Yet another great find from our youth. And it does not have too many doors. Stop saying that! While really not that different than the ’65, the ’66 just didn’t have it like the ’65, maybe because we were tired of the ’65, but just a basic family mover. I think they checked more than just the power steering and auto trans boxes, as this was still a pretty fancy car for ’66, and several trim options, I’m sure were checked. While the 250 (?) may be a little lean on power for a full sized car, they were bullet proof motors and delivered fair gas mileage. For many of us, this is how we got to baseball games, the dentist, or Robert Hall for new clothes. The 4 door Chevy sedan. Great find.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Dovi65

      I’m with you all the way, Howard … I’m partial to 4 door cars!

      Like 1
    • Avatar Loco Mikado

      Not to mention drive in movies which you borrowed the family car to use. I remember double dating with a buddy which his family had almost the exact same care only with a 283 V9.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar JW454

    My dad had the 1963 version of this same car including trim level and options. That six cylinder moved along pretty good with the seven of us stuffed in there. On those long trips, I sure missed that 1957 Chevrolet wagon he traded in on it though. These were everywhere when I started driving in the early 1970’s. Didn’t own one but, used many of them for parts cars. Very good basic transportation… Then and now.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Dovi65

    I really do take offense at the “too many doors” comment. Some of us collectors/enthusiasts actually PREFER sedans, & wagons over the “two few doors” models. Who’s with me on this … someone? anyone?
    #sedanlivesmatter #wagonlivesmatter #fourdoorlove

    Like 1
    • Avatar Jamie Palmer Staff

      Me, Dovi, as you’ll know from my frequent four door posts!

      Like 0
    • Avatar roselandpete

      I like 4 doors as well as 2 doors.

      Like 1
    • Avatar geomechs Member

      Hi Dovi. All my cars are 4-doors, and I love ’em! I would make ONE exception to the rule in my collection: If I found another ’69 Chevelle, it would be a 2-door post. but that’s because I had one years ago…

      Like 0
      • Avatar Dovi65

        Of all the cars I’ve owned over the years, I’ve only had three that were coupes, a 67 LeSabre [strong engine, but cosmetically .. needed some love] The other two were modern era … 78 LTD, & 81 Bonneville, and both were cheapo finds

        Like 0
  6. Avatar Jubjub

    My brother had a ’66 four door Impala. His didn’t even have power steering but it had fancier taillights and that oh so common silver to red to rust patina on its upper surfaces. Truly standard, bread and butter transportation with just enough flair.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar G 1

    Why do people put those Briggs&Stratton air cleaners on a lot of cars I see. Kind of hard to lose the original one.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Rustytech Member

    If this was in the mid Atlantic region I would swear you found my grandmas car. Yes the black is hiding rust, these were famous for rust under the window moldings. It was not a difficult fix once you got the glass out. Great find, especially in New England. A true “time capsule”. Ops

    Like 0
  9. Avatar al leonard Member

    ALL my classic cars have 4 doors….a ’55 Bel Air…a ’58 Edsel Corsair …and a “59 Edsel Corsair…..4 doors have better lines..plus it’d easier to load people in the back seat for cruisin…

    Like 0
  10. Avatar richard douglass

    I’ll take 4 doors too, they are great cruisers, great looking and cost half the price of two doors, for those of us with limited funds.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar PaulieB

    I am willing to bet that this car is in NH.. Both the plates on this car and the truck behind it are NH plates. Also the reference “nmass/nh rte93n exit 9n” is a NH reference placing the car in Hooksett NH just outside of Manchester..the scenery looks it too. Rte 93 exit 9 in MA is in the Quincy area south of Boston.

    Like 0
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      That location is literally in my back yard. Exit 9n abuts the end of my property, but you would have to jump off a 50 foot granite cliff to hit the exit.

      I will have to keep an eye out for this car – I have never seen it before.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Brian B

        I am interested in buying this car but am in Illinois. I’m concerned about what the brown color is hiding. Would you possibly be able to look at it for me? I would be happy to compensate you for your time. Thank you!

        Like 0
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        Hi Brian, Sure, I could have a look for you. We have to figure out where this car is located, it seems to be all over the map.
        Have you spoken to the seller yet?
        My email is pra4snwatcomcast.net

        Like 0
  12. Avatar Bob C.

    I think this is a good find for the price. I too like 4 door cars, hey, they seem to be losing popularly in todays world. The 250 six banger, you can’t kill them. I had a 72 pontiac lemans with that engine and powerglide tranny. I drove that thing like I hated it and it just wouldn’t die.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar geomechs Member

    I like this car. Back in the era half the cars in my region were either Chevy Bel Airs, Plymouths or Ford Customs. I think half of them sported six -cyl. motors and three speed manuals. Some local farmers were very slow to modernize….

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Paul B

    4-doors rock. I love 2-doors and 4-doors. Where did the put-downs of 4-doors start anyhow? Fight back! A lot of them are really beautiful, and they are historic, like this Bel Air. It’s hard to believe now, but lots and lots of full size cars had sixes and 2-speed automatics back then. Fast? No. Reliable transportation for millions of families? Yes! This one should be kept stock and used and loved, whether it’s restored or not. Nice find!

    Like 0
  15. Avatar JohnJ

    My Dad always bought Bel Airs until they stopped making them. 1959, 1966, 1971, and 1975. Then bought a 1980 Malibu, 1986 Plymouth Caravelle, and finished with a 1995 Ford Taurus.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Paul Bellefeuille

    Update with a price drop.. oh ..and it wasn’t near Cambridge MA after all..
    https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5853772158.html

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Brian B

    Can someone check this car out for me? I am in Illinois and am very interested in it.

    Like 0

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